ManU tops Blackburn to take hold of title race

Manchester United defender Patrice Evra (right) vies with Blackburn midfielder Morten Gamst Pedersen during their English Premier League match on Monday. (Getty Photo)

BLACKBURN, England -- Manchester United seized control of the Premiership title race on Monday by netting two goals in the final 10 minutes of a 2-0 victory over Blackburn at Ewood Park.

The result moves United five points clear of second-place Manchester City with seven games remaining, while Blackburn slips into the bottom three on goal difference.

Rovers made things tough on United as the visitors had trouble breaking down the Blackburn defense. But in the end Sir Alex Ferguson's side rallied late with goals from Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young to claim a seventh successive victory.

United generated only one really good scoring chance in the first half when Javier Hernandez redirected a low cross off the post from inside the six-yard box.

Blackburn threatened just before first-half stoppage time when a powerful half-volley from Marcus Olsson needed to be tipped over the crossbar by goalkeeper David De Gea.

But despite holding United off the scoreboard for 80 minutes, the hosts finally cracked when Valencia got the ball on the right wing and dribbled into the area before firing a shot inside the far post from a tight angle.

The shot seemed to surprise Blackburn goalkeeper Paul Robinson, and he was picking the ball out of his net again five minutes later.

Young came on as a substitute in the 80th minute and he sealed the win by curling a shot inside the right post from the edge of the penalty area on the turn.